US 12,146,774 B2
Apparatus and method for measuring flow-permeable surface area of porous powders using volume flow rate
Richard H. Gee, Livermore, CA (US); Amitesh Maiti, San Ramon, CA (US); Henry E. Reinstein, Livermore, CA (US); Alexander David Wilson, Danville, CA (US); and Peter J. Zischka, Livermore, CA (US)
Assigned to Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US)
Filed by Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC, Livermore, CA (US)
Filed on Sep. 10, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/017,271.
Prior Publication US 2022/0074766 A1, Mar. 10, 2022
Int. Cl. G01F 1/36 (2006.01); G01F 1/88 (2006.01); G01N 15/02 (2024.01); G01N 15/08 (2006.01); G06F 17/11 (2006.01)
CPC G01F 1/363 (2013.01) [G01F 1/88 (2013.01); G01N 15/02 (2013.01); G01N 15/082 (2013.01); G06F 17/11 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A water free system for determining particle size of a quantity of a sample material, without the need for use of a reference plug, and which is contained in a sample material holder having an airflow input port and an airflow output port both in communication with the sample material, where the sample material is made up a plurality of the particles, the system comprising:
a pressure regulating subsystem for receiving a first pressurized airflow signal and regulating the first pressurized airflow signal to a second pressurized airflow signal having a pressure lower than the first pressurized airflow signal, the second pressurized airflow signal configured to be input to the airflow input port of the sample material holder;
a mass airflow transducer having an output and configured to sense an airflow rate representing an airflow value in accordance with the second pressurized airflow signal entering the sample material holder through the airflow input port, and to generate a first electrical output signal in accordance therewith;
a single pressure differential transducer having a first input and a second input, with the first input receiving the second pressurized airflow signal and being coupled in parallel at the output of the mass airflow transducer and the airflow input port of the sample material holder, and the second input being in communication with a third pressurized airflow signal exiting the airflow output port of the sample material holder, the third pressurized airflow signal being generated without modifying a height or porosity of the quantity of sample material;
the pressure differential transducer configured to provide a second electrical output signal representing an airflow pressure differential between the second and third pressurized airflow signals; and
a control module including a controller, the control module configured to use both:
the first electrical output signal from the mass airflow transducer, representing the second pressurized airflow signal entering the sample material holder; and
the second electrical output signal from the pressure differential transducer based on the airflow pressure differential created by the quantity of sample material contained in the sample material holder;
to determine a dimension of the particles making up the sample material; and
control/UI software in communication with the controller and configured to run in an external computer having a display, the control/UI software configured to convert a real time output signal from the control module to a corresponding real time pressure value, and to present pressure value information continuously to the display of the external computer in real time to enable continuous real time monitoring by a user to changes in pressure experienced within the sample material holder.